Chapter 362: Clearing the Air

**Chapter 362: Distancing Herself**

Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t respond, so He Jingxuan turned to the guard and asked, “Why won’t you open the gate?”

The guard followed protocol and replied awkwardly, “There’s no reservation under her name today—maybe the timing’s wrong?”

He Jingxuan acted like she’d just remembered something, putting on an apologetic tone as she faced Xiaoxiao. “Oops… Did I mess up and write my cousin’s name? Ah, I must’ve used your old surname since you go by Ye now.”

Meanwhile, the driver’s side window rolled down. Song Yushu couldn’t see Ye Xiaoxiao from his seat but was clearly irritated by the hold-up.

“If she’s not on the list, tough luck. Let her leave,” he snapped.

Intent on humiliating Ye Xiaoxiao, He Jingxuan gave him a flirtatious smirk.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

But the moment He Jingxuan stepped out of the car, Ye Xiaoxiao flashed her membership card at the guard and drove through, leaving He Jingxuan choking on her exhaust.

“Wait—how’d she get through?!” He Jingxuan stared at the guard in shock.

“Top-tier members bypass reservations,” the guard explained.

He Jingxuan was speechless.

Song Yushu watched, too, as the car slipped past.

When He Jingxuan returned, she asked, "Who was that up ahead?"

Song Yushu wasn’t stupid—only a member of the Starlight Club could drive straight in.

And all the club members here were either rich or powerful.

"That’s my cousin," He Jingxuan replied.

Song Yushu knew his way around the He family affairs. "Which cousin? Is it the one who married Lu Hanchuan?"

He Jingxuan’s face fell, but she didn’t dare lie. "Yes, it’s Xiaoxiao."

Song Yushu said bluntly, "Idiot. Do you have any idea who the Lu family is? Since she’s married into the Lu family, cut it out with those petty tricks of yours."

He Jingxuan paled and tried to defend herself. "I never—"

"Whether you did or not, you’d better stay on her good side."

Song Yushu warned He Jingxuan.

The Songs were a political family—Song Yushu’s father was the mayor of the capital—but even so, there was no need to antagonize the Lu family.

They finally got out of the car, and Song Yushu saw Ye Xiaoxiao.

He looked impressed for a moment, but then remembered she was already married, and felt a hint of regret.

"Ms. Ye, thank you for attending our welcome party."

Song Yushu said courteously, even introducing himself. "I’m Song Yushu."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Oh, you actually invited me? I thought I might’ve crashed the wrong party."

Song Yushu: "..."

He Jingxuan chuckled, "Who knew Xiao Xiao was this funny? Of course we invited you—just a little mix-up earlier."

Because of Song Yushu’s warning, He Jingxuan didn’t dare try anything shady again.

The three finally made it to the private room without further trouble.

A few people were already inside—strangers to her, but familiar with He Jingxuan and Song Yushu.

As soon as Ye Xiaoxiao walked in, all eyes turned to her.

"Who’s this? Where’d you dig up this cutie?"

He Jingxuan: "Cut it out. This is my cousin."

A girl around He Jingxuan’s age approached.

"Wait, is this *the* cousin?"

She smirked and winked.

He Jingxuan quickly stepped in, "Knock it off. My cousin is great."

Xiaoxiao had already taken a seat on her own, "Yeah, knock it off. Actually, Jingxuan and I aren’t even related. Strictly speaking, we’re not family at all."

"What’s your problem? You should be *grateful* Jingxuan calls you family!"

The girl was clearly one of Jingxuan’s little minions, speaking in the same annoying tone.

Xiaoxiao brushed her off. After all, she was only here to clear things up with He Jingxuan.

It wasn’t like she was being conceited—she truly believed that if she didn’t set the record straight now, it would cause more problems later.

Song Yushu cut in smoothly, "Alright, even if you’re not related, we can still be friends. Next time, bring Lu Hanchuan along too."

Song Yushu just wanted to make another friend.

But the others watched with curiosity. A few gossipmongers were already whispering.

"Isn’t she the Hao family’s adopted daughter? Though she’s not with them anymore, she married Lu Hanchuan, right?"

"The Lu family—you know, *the* Lu family..."

"Okay, okay, no need to spell it out. You mean General Lu and Chief Lu’s family? So she really does have some connections."

"Just look at how pretty she is. Probably slept her way up. And for all we know, Lu Hanchuan’s just stringing her along. Otherwise, why haven’t we seen her before?"

One guy had enough, "Uh… you guys don’t even run in the same circles as Lu Hanchuan. Even if he introduced her to his friends, you wouldn’t know."

That shut them up real quick.

"Anyway… I don’t think this marriage will last."

He Jingxuan didn’t stop her friends’ chatter. Instead, she put on a show of defending Xiao Xiao, "Don’t say that—Xiaoxiao got into university on her own and even has a job."

Which only earned Ye Xiaoxiao even dirtier looks from the rest.

What kind of talent is that?

Everyone here gets into whatever college they want.

But their attention didn’t last long before being interrupted by an uninvited guest in the private room.

Xu Linfeng, the club owner who rarely showed up, suddenly walked in.

Song Yushu noticed him first and stood to greet him.

"Long time no see, Linfeng. Care to join us for a drink?"

Xu Linfeng wasn't particularly close with Song Yushu—he had come for Ye Xiaoxiao.

"No need. I heard Xiao Xiao was here, so I came to say hello.

You enjoying yourself? If you're not comfortable here, the club has plenty of other fun spots."

Ye Xiaoxiao had only met Xu Linfeng a few times, but among Lu Hanchuan’s friends, he was one of the more level-headed ones.

At least compared to Han Xing, he was far more stable.

She just hadn’t expected Xu Linfeng not only to help her get a membership but also to show up in person.

"Thank you, but I came merely to honor an invitation. Since Miss He's friends have started gossiping, I assume the welcome party is over. I won’t disturb you all from continuing your gossip."

Ye Xiaoxiao had no patience for these spoiled rich kids. Her goal today had been achieved—everyone present now understood there was bad blood between her and He Jingxuan.

Song Yushu still tried to persuade her to stay. "Some inappropriate things were indeed said earlier. Miss Ye, please don’t take them to heart."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Of course I won’t. It’s just dogs yapping."

The others' expressions turned sour immediately.

Xu Linfeng gave a light laugh. "Since it’s over, let me take you somewhere else."

Ye Xiaoxiao stood up and left.

Only after stepping out of the private room did she thank Xu Linfeng for coming all this way.

Xu Linfeng dismissed it as no big deal. "These people may look refined on the surface, but who knows how wild they are in private? I didn’t dare leave you here alone. If something happened, how could I explain it to Hanchuan?"